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S wirds

481 wirds

saaverb
/SAA/
Past 'saw'; also to sow seed
“Aw'll saa the tatties the morn.”
saandnoun
/SAHND/
Loose granular rock and shell fragments
“I loe walkin alang the saand.”
saandiloonoun
/SAAN-dil-OO/
small coastal wading bird
“Thar's a saandiloo on da strand.”
saandy eelnoun
/SAAN-dee-EEL/
juvenile slender sand-eel fish
“Ye'll fin' a saandy eel near t' strand.”
saatnoun
/SAAT/
common seasoning mineral used for food
“Mair saat oan the tatties.”
saat cuddienoun
/SAAT-KUD-ee/
Small woven straw pouch for salt
“Ah hung da saat cuddie oan da hearth.”
saatbracknoun
/SAAT-brack/
fine spray and froth from waves
“Da saatbrack flew up frae da skerries.”
sabverb
/SAB/
drench; soak completely through
“Da rain sab ma jacket”
saenoun
/SAY/
low wooden pail with two lugs
“Gie me the sae.”
sae langadverbial phrase
/SAY-LAHNG/
for a very short time
“Jist bide sae lang.”
saednoun
/SAYD/
full-grown North Atlantic coalfish
“We hed a saed fur tea”
sainverb
/SAYN/
invoke blessing or divine favour
“A'll sain the bairn the nicht.”
sairverb
/SAIR/
to be enough; to suffice
“Da'll sair fine”
salauxiliary
/SAHL/
marks future action or obligation
“A sal gang ta da shop.”
salistverb
/SAH-list/
pause briefly; hesitate for a moment
“He salist a wee afore he spak.”
samadjective
/SAHM/
Exactly; just then; at that moment
“Sam he cam in.”
sammasconjunction
/SAM-uhs/
as though; introducing a comparison
“He lookit sammas he hedna slept a nicht.”
sangnoun
/SAHNG/
A song; also an exclamation
“Da sang wis braw”
sannaauxiliary
/SAN-uh/
Negative auxiliary meaning shall not
“Ah sanna gang hame the nicht.”
santetverb
/SAN-tet/
made to disappear in a mysterious way
“Da keys are santet, canna fin' them.”
sapnoun
/SAHP/
a small mouthful of liquid
“Gie's a sap o tea”
sapsnoun
/SAPS/
Bread soaked in milk, soft dish
“Gie the wean some saps noo.”
sarknoun
/SAHRK/
simple upper-body garment, a shirt
“Pit on yer sark, it's cauld oot.”
saryadjective
/SAIR-ee/
easily offended or emotionally sensitive
“Dinna be sary.”
scadnoun
/SKAD/
a sudden quick burst of movement
“A made a scad oot the door”
scaffverb
/SKAF/
eat quickly and greedily
“He'll scaff his tea in nae time.”
scaffienoun
/SKAF-ee/
person who sweeps public streets
“A seen da scaffie at da pier.”
scamnoun
/SKAM/
a scar or surface blemish
“She haes a wee scam oan her cheek”
scarfnoun
/SKARF/
dark fish-diving seabird, the cormorant
“Da scarf sat oan da stane.”
scartverb
/SKAART/
scrape causing a small abrasion
“Dinna scart yer han on the stane.”
scatnoun
/SKAT/
historic land tax paid to crown
“Hae ye paid the scat noo?”
scattaldnoun
/SKAT-uld/
Communal pasture allotted to crofts
“Aw'll pit the kye intae the scattald.”
sclatenoun
/SKLAYT/
flat piece of roofing or writing slate
“Da sclate blew aff da roof yestreen.”
sclaternoun
/SKLAY-ter/
small armoured woodlouse-like crustacean
“A saw a wee sclater 'neath the stane.”
sclaterscraenoun
/SKLAY-ter-SKRAY/
Arrogant blustering person who pretends knowledge
“Dinna mind the sclaterscrae, he's aye gabbin an' grand.”
sclatesnoun
/SKLAYTS/
Protective wooden strips on an oar
“Dinna fergit the sclates oan the oar.”
scoarnverb
/SKORN/
teasing imitation of someone's speech
“Dinna scoarn him, lass.”
scobbinsnoun
/SKOB-inz/
burnt porridge stuck to pan
“Dinna leave scobbins oan the pan.”
scölnoun
/SKOHL/
building where children receive education
“Da bairns is gaen tae scöl”
scöl bairnsplural noun
/SKOHL-BAYRNS/
children who attend the local school
“Scöl bairns gaes hame at twa.”
scöl warknoun
/SKOHL-WARK/
Schoolwork, lessons and educational tasks
“Ah maun dae ma scöl wark the nicht.”
scomfishverb
/SKOM-fish/
made breathless by smoke or heat
“Da peat smoke scomfish't us alang da road”
scooderverb
/SKOO-der/
singe or slightly burn a surface
“Dinna scooder the bannock oan the girdle.”
scoomtransitive verb
/SKOOM/
forcefully remove or sweep aside
“He scoomed the muck awa frae the door.”
scoorverb
/SKOOR/
clean by scrubbing and rinsing
“Gie the pan a scoor, it's muckit.”
scootverb
/SKOOT/
to pass thin liquid droppings
“Mind yer coat, da gulls scoot on da quay.”
scooty alannoun
/SKOO-tee-AH-lan/
Shetland name for arctic skua
“Aa seen a scooty alan teuk a fish frae a gull.”
scöpnoun
/SKOEP/
small hand scoop for bailing
“Gi'e me the scöp noo.”
scordnoun
/SKORD/
narrow notch in a hill ridge
“Thar's a scord in the hill ye can see frae the kirk.”
scordetadjective
/SKOR-det/
Chapped, split skin from weather
“Ma hauns are scordet efter the cauld wind”
scowenoun
/SKOH/
wooden stave of a barrel or cask
“A scowe wis loosed frae the kask.”
screechamnoun
/SKREE-chum/
Shetland dialect word for whisky
“Hae ye a wee sup o' screecham?”
screednoun
/SKREED/
large crowd or clustered mass
“Da screed o fowk cam tae da pier.”
screedinverb
/SKREE-din/
to swarm in dense numbers
“Da midgies screedin aboot the licht”
scribenoun
/SKRYB/
pen-made mark or stroke on paper
“Hae a keek at that wee scribe.”
scriechnoun
/SKREECH/
a loud, high-pitched piercing cry
“Da bairn lett oot a scriech.”
scrimeverb
/SKRIM/
squint to make something out
“Ah scrime thro the mirk”
scritnoun
/SKRIT/
small scraping sound or quick movement
“Da bairn gied a scrit an ran.”
scrynoun
/SKREE/
dense swarm of insects or creatures
“Da scry o midgies is pure thick.”
scungeverb
/SKUNJ/
forcibly drive out of place
“He'll scunge thaim oot o the croft.”
scunnerverb
/SKUN-er/
strong dislike or fed-up feeling
“A'm scunner o' the hale thing”
scutternoun
/SKUT-er/
small petty tedious household chore
“Thit's jist a scutter.”
sea craanoun
/SEE-krah/
black and white seabird with bill
“A saw a sea craa on da skerry.”
sea faerdyadjective
/SEE-FAIR-dee/
Fit and safe for sea travel
“Da boat's sea faerdy.”
sea flechnoun
/SEE-FLECH/
small beach-dwelling hopping crustacean
“A seen a sea flech skitterin alang da strand.”
seekverb
/SEEK/
to be in heat; move closer
“Da tups is seek the noo.”
seemverb
/SEEM/
to see with the eyes
“Ah seem the boat thar”
segnoun
/SEG/
marsh plant, yellow-flag iris
“Ah seen seg alang da burn.”
seichnoun
/SAYKH/
audible breath expressing weariness or relief
“Seich, a'm fair beat.”
semnoun
/SEHM/
large spike for fastening hull planks
“He droiv the sem intae the klink.”
setverb
/SET/
to put, place, or begin
“A'll set the tatties the morn.”
setninnoun
/SET-nin/
weaned lamb kept for breeding
“A'll pit the setnin wi the gimmer flock.”
setterdaynoun
/SET-er-day/
Shetland term for Saturday
“A'll see ye on setterday.”
shaaldadjective
/SHAWLD/
Having little depth, not very deep
“Ye kin gang ower da voe, it's shaald.”
shaavverb
/SHAAV/
to bite, gnaw, or hack repeatedly
“Da dug aye shaav the auld boot.”
shacklebennoun
/SHAK-luh-ben/
joint between hand and forearm
“Hae ye hurt yer shackleben?”
shaefnoun
/SHAYF/
Bundle of cut grain stalks
“Ah'll stook the shaef in the rig.”
shaelaadjective
/SHAY-luh/
A dull slate grey colour
“Da sky's aw shaela.”
shairnoun
/SHAIR/
single-seat piece of furniture
“Tak a wee sit on the shair.”
shakkins o da böddienoun
/SHAK-kins oh da BUH-dee/
Small basket leftovers; youngest child
“Da shakkins o da böddie nivver taks da heaviest dray.”
shaldernoun
/SHAL-duhr/
black-and-white coastal wading bird
“Yon shalder's aye at the voe.”
shalmillensnoun
/SHAL-MIL-ENZ/
tiny fragments; small bits or pieces
“There's shalmillens aboot the table”
shamverb
/SHAM/
pull a face in a grimace
“Dinna sham, lass.”
shantynoun
/SHAN-tee/
portable bedside vessel for relieving oneself
“Lae the shanty bi ma bed.”
shapverb
/SHAP/
to mash or crush into pieces
“Ah'll shap the tatties.”
shappin treenoun
/SHAP-in-TREE/
hand tool for mashing potatoes
“Gi'e me the shappin tree, the tatties need shappin.”
shappit tattiesplural noun
/SHAP-it TAT-eez/
Soft creamy mashed Shetland potatoes
“A'll mak shappit tatties for oor tea.”
shargverb
/SHARG/
to nag or bicker persistently
“Yon fella aye sharg aboot sma things.”
sharknoun
/SHAHRK/
Nickname for someone from Bressay
“Yon shark's braw company.”
sharl pinnoun
/SHARL-pin/
Pin securing wooden door hinge knuckles
“Mind yer sharl pin, the door's droopin.”
sharnnoun
/SHAHRN/
excrement of cattle; cow manure
“Dinna step in the sharn, bairn.”
sharpadjective
/SHAHRP/
sour or turned, especially milk
“Dinna drink da milk, it's sharp.”
shasknoun
/SHASK/
tedious, menial, monotonous toil
“A'll dae the shask efter tea.”
shasteverb
/SHAYST/
pursue swiftly to catch or drive off
“He shaste the gulls aff the pier”
sheavenoun
/SHEEV/
a single slice of bread
“Gie us a sheave, hinny.”
sheek for showeidiomatic adverbial phrase
/SHEEK/
Side by side with almost no space
“Twa boats lay sheek by the pier.”
sheeksnoun
/SHEEKS/
Excessive idle talk; a chatterer
“Haud yer sheeks!”
sheeks rivinnoun
/SHEEKS-RIV-in/
humorous informal meeting or chat
“Come alang for a wee sheeks rivin.”
sheeksfoonoun
/SHEEKS-foo/
a bite or sip taken
“Gie's a sheeksfoo o' tay.”
sheeksyadjective
/SHEEK-see/
overly chatty; excessively talkative
“Da sheeksy bairn keeps us a' smilin'.”
sheeldnoun
/SHEELD/
informal word for a man or companion
“Da sheeld's awa tae fish.”
sheenverb
/SHEEN/
to shine; reflect light; glisten
“Da moon wis sheen ower da voe”
sheep tiefnoun
/SHEEP-TEEF/
Traditional nickname for someone from Yell
“Yon sheep tief's a canny yin.”
sheep's gaetnoun
/SHEEPS-GAYT/
narrow path worn by sheep
“We gaed alang the sheep's gaet.”
sheephaddenadjective
/SHEEP-HAD-en/
Proof against sheep entering an enclosure
“Da dyke is gey sheephadden.”
sheerlinnoun
/SHEER-lin/
a song or singing sound
“Hae ye heard her sheerlin yestreen?”
sheetverb
/SHEET/
to hurry; move very quickly
“Sheet oot tae da pier!”
shewverb
/SHOO/
To stitch or mend cloth by needle
“A'll shew yon tear in da coat.”
shickenwirtnoun
/SHIK-en-wirt/
low-growing wild herb eaten as salad
“We aye hae shickenwirt alangside oor supper.”
shiftverb
/SHIFT/
move quickly; change one's position
“Shift yersel, da ferry's awa.”
shiggleverb
/SHIG-uhl/
short wobbling or jigging movements
“Dae nae shiggle the pram, it'll tip ower”
shigglyadjective
/SHIG-lee/
Unsteady; likely to wobble or tremble
“Mind yer step, yon pier's shiggly.”
shillverb
/SHIL/
to bite off or nip away
“Da dorg wull shill yer scone.”
shilpetadjective
/SHIL-pet/
sour, tart or acidic in flavour
“Da gooseberries is aw shilpet noo.”
shimleynoun
/SHIM-lee/
chimney or smoke stack on house
“Da shimley's full o' soot.”
shimley neuknoun
/SHIM-lee NYOOK/
small nook beside a fireplace
“A hid ma bairn's toy in the shimley neuk.”
shinnoun
/SHIN/
lower front part of the face
“A'll wipe ma shin.”
shivverb
/SHIV/
to thrust or push suddenly
“Dae nae shiv me!”
shivvelverb
/SHIV-uhl/
To shovel earth, peat, or snow
“Gie's a haan tae shivvel the snaw aff the path.”
shöpronoun
/SHOH/
third-person feminine pronoun meaning 'she'
“Shö's haulin the creels.”
shoardverb
/SHOARD/
Prop or brace a boat with blocks
“Kin ye shoard the yole?”
shockverb
/SHOK/
to gag and be unable to swallow
“A got a shock efter a swig o' sour milk.”
shocksnoun
/SHOKS/
mouth and jaw area
“Dinna pit yer thumb intae his shocks.”
shölverb
/SHOHL/
Scoop out or shuffle along
“A'll shöl the snaw aff the step.”
sholgry girsenoun
/SHOL-gree GURS/
yarrow herb with feathery leaves
“Mither made a salve o' sholgry girse.”
shölibrodnoun
/SHUH-LEE-BROD/
old shabby object falling apart
“Dinna tak the shölibrod intae the hoose.”
sholmetadjective
/SHOL-met/
cow with a white or pale face
“Ye can aye spot da sholmet coo amang da rest.”
shönplural noun
/SHOON/
Pairs of footwear; plural of shoe
“Tak yer shön oan afore ye gae oot.”
shooverb
/SHOO/
row a boat stern-first with oars
“Gie's a houl an' shoo the boat aff the strand.”
shooderverb
/SHOO-der/
sudden involuntary shiver or tremble
“He shoodered frae the cauld.”
shoormalnoun
/SHOOR-muhl/
highest tide line on the shore
“Thar's a braid o' wrack at the shoormal.”
shorebodnoun
/SHOR-bod/
breaking wave at the shoreline
“Mind da shorebod, it'll splash ye.”
shottnoun
/SHOT/
stern compartment of small fishing boat
“He pit the haddies in the shott.”
showeverb
/SHOW-ee/
To chew; also to argue
“We hed a wee showe aboot the last fish.”
shudnoun
/SHUHD/
soft rustling or shuffle-like sound
“Ah heard a wee shud doon the stair.”
shugnoun
/SHUG/
very fine mist-like rain
“Ther's a shug ower da brae”
shuggyadjective
/SHUG-ee/
light misty drizzle; fine wet weather
“Ah'll tak a coat, it's shuggy.”
shunnoun
/SHOON/
small Shetland loch or pond
“Da shun bides doon by the brae.”
shurgnoun
/SHURG/
Wet gravelly layer beneath the topsoil
“Da tractor gaet stuck i' da shurg.”
shutverb
/SHUT/
throw fishing line overboard from boat
“Shut the lines an' mind the lead.”
sibadjective
/SIB/
Related by blood; same family
“She's sib tae me, ye can tell fra her een.”
sicdeterminer/adjective
/SIK/
of that kind; such as this
“We gaed oot in sic weather”
sic an sicidiomatic phrase
/SIK-uhn-SIK/
vague placeholder for unspecified person or thing
“A met sic an sic doon by the harbour.”
siccaradjective
/SIK-er/
certain, safe and secure
“A'm siccar he'll come the morn”
siclaekadjective
/SIK-LAYK/
Only mildly unwell; fairly healthy
“He's siclaek the day, he'll bide fine.”
sidnoun
/SID/
thin inner husks of oats
“Gie the sid tae the hens”
siddyadjective
/SID-ee/
coarse unrefined meal; ill-matched pair
“They mak a siddy pair.”
sidelinsadverb
/SIGHD-lins/
to the side; in a sideways way
“She set the chair sidelins tae the fire”
sidey for sideyadverb
/SY-dee/
placed alongside another object
“Pit the skiff sidey da pier.”
sideywyesadverb
/SID-ee-wayz/
movement toward the side; sideways
“We rowit sideywyes alang the voe.”
sigginterjection
/SIGG/
sharp cry to urge hunting dog
“Gie a sigg, the doag's aff.”
siggynoun
/SIG-ee/
tall marsh plant with yellow flowers
“There's siggy alang the burn.”
signifyverb
/SIG-nuh-fy/
to show meaning or importance
“Yon auld ring daes signify a tale”
silenoun
/SEEL/
pin across the upper millstone eyehole
“He's oot o his sile the noo.”
sillnoun
/SIL/
soft roe of a male fish
“Gie me a wee bit o sill.”
sillocknoun
/SIL-uk/
juvenile coalfish in first year
“Ah seen a sillock at da pier.”
sillyadjective
/SIL-ee/
Frail and in poor health
“Da auld man's gettin' right silly noo.”
simmer blinknoun
/SIM-mer BLINK/
sudden gleam of summer sun
“See yon simmer blink ower the voe”
simmer dimnoun
/SIM-mer-DIM/
prolonged pale Shetland summer dusk
“We'll a' sit oot i' the simmer dim.”
simmermalnoun
/SIM-er-mal/
Shetland name for 3 April
“We aye leuk at the lift on simmermal.”
simmermal dancenoun
/SIM-mer-mal DAANS/
wavering heat shimmer above road
“Da simmermal dance maks da road look like it's runnin wi watter.”
simmondsnoun
/SIM-uhnds/
plaited straw cords for binding
“A'll fetch the simmonds frae the byre.”
sinpreposition
/SIN/
from then until the present
“Ah've kent him sin wee bairn.”
sin syneadverbial phrase
/SIN-SEEN/
from that time onward
“Sin syne A've aye been at t' croft.”
sinderverb
/SIN-der/
to split or tear apart
“Da storm sinder da net.”
sindryadjective
/SIN-dree/
separate from others; divided into parts
“They're sindry noo.”
singaetsadverb
/SING-ayts/
Clockwise in the direction of the sun
“Da ferry gangs singaets roun da head.”
sinkverb
/SINK/
a strong curse wishing ruin
“Sink ye!”
sinknationnoun
/SINK-nay-shun/
prolonged abusive verbal attack
“He gied him a sinknation in da toon.”
sinnennoun
/SIN-en/
tough fibrous cord joining muscle to bone
“Dinna owerstrain yer sinnen.”
sinni girsenoun
/SIN-ee GIR-suh/
tuft of long coastal grass
“Thar's a sinni girse oan da skerry.”
sintnoun
/SINT/
a very small amount
“Ther's jist a sint o' jam.”
sipenoun
/SEEP/
tiny drop or trace of liquid
“Mind yer fit, there's a sipe o watter.”
sirpinadjective
/SIR-pin/
soaking wet through and through
“Ye cam sirpin frae da shore”
sitternoun
/SIT-er/
something that disappoints or underwhelms
“It wis a sair sitter”
sixernnoun
/SIKS-ern/
six oared open fishing boat
“A'm gaen oot in the sixern the morn”
skaadman's headnoun
/SKAAD-muhns-hed/
spiny rounded marine echinoderm, sea urchin
“Da skaadman's head sat oan da shoar.”
skaapnoun
/SKAHP/
bed or colony of sea mussels
“Da skaap cling tae da stane.”
skaarnoun
/SKAAR/
a very small portion
“Mum aye gies me a skaar frae the jam.”
skaeverb
/SKAY/
to happen; befall someone
“Whit skae ye noo?”
skaerverb
/SKAIR/
Join planks by making scarf joint
“A'll skaer the planks the morn.”
skaer taftnoun
/SKAIR-taft/
rear seat in a small boat
“A'll sit i' the skaer taft.”
skailverb
/SKAYL/
to scatter or spread loosely
“Da wind skail da seeds aboot”
skalvaverb
/SKAHL-vah/
To fall in large, loose snowflakes
“It's skalva oot.”
skat roothverb
/SKAT-ROOTH/
Rowing with two people, one oar each
“Cum, lat's skat rooth oot.”
skaveadjective
/SKAYV/
crooked, not straight or level
“Da pictur on da wa's skave.”
skavelverb
/SKAV-ul/
to create or bring into being
“A'll skavel a wee gairden.”
skebnoun
/SKEB/
large straw basket for holding loose straw
“Pit the skeb intae the byre.”
skeekverb
/SKEEK/
to stint or ration; be frugal
“Dinna skeek wi the butter, bairns'll hae some.”
skeetverb
/SKEET/
to skip or spray across water
“He skeet the stane ower the voe.”
skeetiknoun
/SKEE-tik/
Shetland word for a squid
“Ah saw a skeetik in t' voe.”
skeklernoun
/SKEK-luh/
Shetland mummer wearing a straw suit
“Da skekler cam te oor door.”
skelfnoun
/SKELF/
narrow projecting coastal rock ledge
“Dinna gae near da skelf.”
skelpverb
/SKELP/
Slap or send something forcefully
“Da mither gied him a skelp.”
sken joopnoun
/SKEN-YOOP/
Traditional waterproof fishermen's oilskin coat
“Haud yer sken joop oan, da spraay's reet.”
skeonoun
/SKAY-oh/
small stone shed for drying fish
“We'll bide in da skeo da nicht”
skerrynoun
/SKER-ee/
small rocky islet or reef
“Mind da skerry afore ye sail”
skevelledadjective
/SKEV-uld/
crooked; twisted out of alignment
“Da pictur's aw skevelled oan the waal.”
skew wheefadjective
/SKYOO-WEEF/
crooked or lopsided; awkwardly angled
“Da pictur's aw skew wheef oan da wull.”
skileintransitive verb
/SKIL/
to peer with narrowed eyes
“She skile ower the dyke when the lads cam past”
skirlverb
/SKIRL/
sharp high pitched laugh or cry
“Ah cudnae help but skirl”
skitternoun
/SKIT-er/
loose watery bowel motions
“A've a skitter noo”
skitter ida slapverb phrase
/SKIT-er-EE-dah-SLAP/
dart away; run off quickly
“Da hen skitter ida slap whan I cam roond”
sklentverb
/SKLENT/
to tear or rip clothing
“Da bairn clamb ower the dyke an sklent ma coat.”
skoagnoun
/SKOHG/
short cord used to set hooks
“Gie me the skoag”
skoiltnoun
/SKOYLT/
small fragment or broken splinter
“Thar's a wee skoilt fae the chair”
skoitnoun
/SKOYT/
intentional glance to signal or communicate
“She gied him a skoit afore we gaed oot”
skoolmverb
/SKOOLM/
glare with a sullen angry frown
“Da fella skoolm at me.”
skorienoun
/SKOR-ee/
juvenile gull with mottled plumage
“Yon skorie hingit abuin da voe an keekit doon”
skrannoun
/SKRAN/
assorted bits and scraps of rubbish
“Ah'll gae pick skran alang da shore”
skreebieadjective
/SKREE-bee/
timid and easily frightened
“Dinnae be a skreebie, come wi us.”
skrieveverb
/SKREEV/
To write or put down words
“Ah'll skrieve ye a note.”
skröfnoun
/SKRUF/
thin surface layer of the sea
“A skröf lay ower the voe”
skroilnoun
/SKROYL/
small broken bits or scraps
“Dinna trample the skroil.”
skrölnoun
/SKROL/
loud, grating shriek or screech
“A heerd a skröl frae da clif”
skroonoun
/SKROO/
stack of harvested cereal sheaves
“Da skroo staans alang da rigg.”
skrottinoun
/SKROT-ee/
lichen used to make reddish-orange dye
“Mither uised skrotti tae tint ma wull.”
skrovvelverb
/SKROV-vul/
to fumble or grope awkwardly
“He skrovvel i' the daark efter his keys”
skruffelverb
/SKRUHF-ul/
move to produce a soft rustle
“Da wind skruffel the leaves”
skubnoun
/SKUB/
fine mist or light drizzle
“Da skub's hingin aboot da shore”
skultnoun
/SKULT/
bony head structure enclosing the brain
“Mind yer skult when ye gang doon.”
skungeverb
/SKUNG-uh/
to sweep or brush something away
“Skunge da boord, bairn.”
skurmnoun
/SKURM/
Hard outer covering, especially of eggs
“Dinnae crack the skurm oan them eggs.”
skurtnoun
/SKURT/
bundle held against the chest
“Shi set the skurt doun at the door.”
skurtfoonoun
/SKURT-foo/
small bundle held in one's arms
“A brung ye a skurtfoo o tatties.”
skutamillaskroonoun
/SKOO-tuh-MIL-uh-SKROO/
Children's hide-and-seek among stooks
“Da bairns gaed oot tae hae a skutamillaskroo amang the stooks.”
skyaagsnoun
/SKY-ahgz/
enclosures for keeping domestic geese
“Hae ye shut the skyaags noo?”
skyefsetadjective
/SKY-ef-set/
tilted, not straight or properly aligned
“Da picture's skyefset oan the wa.”
skyimpverb
/SKY-imp/
insincere flattering with mocking intent
“Dinnae skyimp oan me, ye!”
skyinbownoun
/SKY-in-boh/
traditional Shetland fiddle reel tune
“Da fiddler playt a skyinbow at da dance.”
skyoamitadjective
/SKY-OH-mit/
pale and looking unwell
“Da bairn's skyoamit the day.”
skyugverb
/SKY-ug/
Crouch to shelter against a bank
“Ah skyug ahint the brae”
skyumpiknoun
/SKYUM-pik/
large moss-covered peat sod
“Ye canna shift that skyumpik on yer ain.”
slackynoun
/SLAK-ee/
small hollow between hills
“We gaed doon tae the slacky.”
slagverb
/SLAHG/
to lengthen by pulling
“Gie's a slag oan the line.”
slapnoun
/SLAP/
gap in a dry-stone wall
“Mind the slap afore ye gang ower.”
slashyadjective
/SLASH-ee/
Hard, driving and showery rain
“It's gey slashy oot.”
slaternoun
/SLAY-ter/
small land crustacean, woodlouse
“I fand a wee slater unner the stane”
slebnoun
/SLEB/
lower lip, to pout or sulk
“Shi gied a wee sleb an' gaed aff”
sleekitadjective
/SLEEK-it/
cunning; sly and underhand
“Dinna trust da fella, he's sleekit.”
sleekynoun
/SLEEK-ee/
large sea conger eel
“Da lads hed a sleeky in da net”
slepseverb
/SLEP-suh/
eat or kiss in a sloppy way
“He aye slepse his porridge.”
slesterverb
/SLES-ter/
splash about making a mess
“Dae nae slester the hoose wi' yer boots.”
slichtadjective
/SLIKHT/
Sea utterly still and glassy
“Da sea's slicht the day”
slipverb
/SLIP/
to let someone leave a vehicle
“Slip me aff at da pier, will ye?”
slockverb
/SLOK/
Extinguish a flame; quench thirst
“A'll slock the licht noo.”
slockeninnoun
/SLOK-uh-nin/
a drink that completely slakes thirst
“Gie's a slockenin, Ah'm fair parchit.”
sloonoun
/SLOO/
lazy, untidy, slovenly person
“Da sloo nivver keps hir hoose tidy.”
sloobnoun
/SLOOB/
slimy viscous muck on rotting fish
“Da herrin's aal covered wi' sloob”
sloomitadjective
/SLOO-mit/
Sly, secretive and deceitful behavior
“Da man's sloomit, aye he bides his thochts.”
slottnoun
/SLOT/
Fried mass of fish livers and roe
“Mither's makin slott the neet.”
sludnoun
/SLUD/
brief dry spell between showers
“Cum oot, there's a slud.”
slugnoun
/SLOOG/
Protective smock worn over clothes
“Mither pit on her slug afore she gaed oot.”
slundynoun
/SLUN-dee/
noisy, disorderly crowd or rabble
“Da slundy at da quay wis gey noisy.”
slurdnoun
/SLURD/
short sharp wind-driven rain shower
“A slurd spitted in afore we kent.”
slushitadjective
/SLUH-shit/
Scruffy and careless in appearance
“Da bloke's awfy slushit noo.”
slutternoun
/SLUH-ter/
messy, untidy state or disorder
“Da hoose is pure slutter efter da bairns.”
slynoun
/SLEE/
green slimy scum on still water
“Dinna drink frae that sly.”
smaaadjective
/SMAH/
Narrow, not broad in width
“Da gate's smaa, the tractor winna pass”
smaa drinknoun
/SMAH-drink/
colloquial nickname for Scalloway resident
“Yon smaa drink aye haes a richt guid laugh.”
smatshetnoun
/SMAT-shet/
a mischievous, playful young scamp
“Da smatshet's hid ma keys agen.”
smeegnoun
/SMEEG/
Sly self-satisfied knowing smile
“She's aye got a wee smeeg aboot her mou.”
smisslennoun
/SMISS-len/
soft-shell clam from sandy flats
“Ah fand a smisslen oan t'sands.”
smitverb
/SMIT/
to infect or become infected
“Da bairn's smit at da skool.”
smookverb
/SMOOK/
Pull a garment on or off
“A'll smook ma jacket on afore we gang oot.”
smoorikennoun
/SMOOR-ik-en/
small affectionate kiss or peck
“Gie's a smooriken, hen.”
smootintransitive verb
/SMOOT/
move about stealthily to avoid being seen
“He smoot awa wi' the bread.”
smoranoun
/SMOR-ah/
common low growing clover with rounded heads
“Da bairn's pickin smora on da brae.”
smoreverb
/SMOR/
to suffocate or smother; drown
“Da laddie nearly smore in da smoke.”
smucknoun
/SMUK/
soft indoor slipper; Aithsting nickname
“Dinna gang oot wi yer smuck oan.”
smushnoun
/SMUHSH/
light, mist-like steady drizzle
“Da's a smush oot, ye'll no need yer brolly”
snaanoun
/SNAH/
white frozen precipitation in flakes
“Hae ye seen the snaa?”
snaaie foolnoun
/SNAY-ee FOOL/
small winter-visiting white-plumaged bunting
“Ah saw a snaaie fool oan da sands.”
snaarnoun
/SNAAR/
moment the tide turns
“Bide at the snaar afore we gang oot.”
snappernoun
/SNAP-uh/
brief slip or small stumble
“Mind yer fit or ye'll get a wee snapper.”
snecknoun
/SNEK/
latch; small notch; narrow inlet
“Gie's a hand wi the sneck, it's stuck.”
sneebverb
/SNEEB/
To snow lightly; fall in flakes
“Jist a sneeb fae the lift.”
sneesterverb
/SNEES-ter/
to give a suppressed quiet laugh
“She sneester tae hersel.”
sneetverb
/SNEET/
forcefully blow one's nose
“She sneeted her neb intil a hankie.”
sneet clootnoun
/SNEET-KLOOT/
playful Shetland word for handkerchief
“Gie me yer sneet cloot, A'm greetin.”
snibnoun
/SNIB/
small latch used to secure a door
“Gie the snib oan the door, hin.”
snickverb
/SNIK/
flick a switch to turn on
“Snick da licht, it's gettin mirk.”
snipperintransitive verb
/SNIP-er/
to pucker into small folds
“Da auld bonnet snipper when ye put 't on”
snippiknoun
/SNIP-ik/
small marsh-dwelling wading bird
“I seen a snippik hingin aboot oan the saltings.”
snitternoun
/SNIT-uh/
sharp piercing gust of cold wind
“A snitter gied me a richt start.”
snödnoun
/SNOOD/
spiral twist of a rope's strands
“Da auld man haes a snöd aboot him.”
snoiltitverb
/SNOYL-tit/
trim almost to the skin
“He snoiltit da coo afore the fair.”
snölnoun
/SNOHL/
a foolish or simple-minded person
“Ach, snöl, ye've dune it again.”
snorie bennoun
/SNOR-ee BEN/
spun toy that makes rattling snore
“Da bairn's playin wi the snorie ben.”
snugadjective
/SNUHG/
Very short, closely trimmed fleece or hair
“Da lamb's snug efter da shear.”
snug ooedadjective
/SNUHG-OOD/
Short, close-lying animal coat
“Da gimmer's snug ooed an ready fur da frost.”
snug shordetadjective
/SNUG-SHOR-det/
comfortably and securely in one's seat
“A'm snug shordet bi da fire.”
snurlnoun
/SNUHRL/
small twist in rope or brow
“Gie a keek at the snurl in the sheet.”
snurtnoun
/SNUHRT/
dried nose crust; scorched wick tip
“Ther's snurt oan his neb.”
snushverb
/SNUHSH/
inhale sharply through the nose
“He gied a snush an' smirkit.”
snyirkverb
/SNEERK/
sharp creaking or squeaking noise
“Da durr did snyirk whan Ah ope'd it”
snyivveriesplural noun
/SNIV-uh-REEZ/
small wooden peg garment fasteners
“Mind the snyivveries oan yer coat”
snyöskverb
/SNYURSK/
noisy petulant sniff or snort
“He gied a snyösk an gaed oot”
sointerjection
/SOH/
brief exclamation expressing assent or warning
“So, dinna greet noo.”
soagnoun
/SOHG/
light drowsy state before sleep
“A fell intae a soag on the settee.”
soaroointerjection
/SOH-ah-roo/
Devil-invoking expletive for negation
“Ah'll no bide it, soaroo.”
sochnoun
/SOHKH/
long, soft sighing wind sound
“Da soch cam doun frae da hill.”
sockverb
/SOK/
to knit yarn into fabric
“Ah'll sock ye a wee tam.”
soenoun
/SOH/
chewed limpets used as bait
“Gie's me a wee soe for da creel.”
solannoun
/SOH-luhn/
large white seabird, the gannet
“Ah saw a solan at Noss yestreen”
solemnadjective
/SOL-um/
extremely bad; utterly dreadful
“Da sea's lookin' solemn the nicht.”
songienoun
/SONG-ee/
animal with both sex organs
“Da songie loupit ower the dyke.”
sonsieadjective
/SON-see/
Pleasingly attractive; pretty (of women)
“Yon's a sonsie lass.”
soonoun
/SOO/
mature female pig, a sow
“Da soo's i' da sty.”
sooansnoun
/SOO-ans/
Porridge from fermented oat residue
“A'll mak a pot o' sooans.”
sookverb
/SOOK/
dry clothing outdoors in wind
“A'll sook the claes oan the riggin.”
sookyadjective
/SOO-kee/
dries quickly and absorbs moisture well
“Yon cloot's gey sooky, it'll be dry in nae time.”
soolnoun
/SOOL/
main interior bottom plank of boat
“Mind yer fit on the sool, it's gey slippit.”
soolpnoun
/SOOLP/
Soft waterlogged patch of soil
“Dinna step in da soolp.”
soomverb
/SOOM/
Move through water using limbs
“A'm gaen soom the morn.”
sooriknoun
/SOOR-ik/
Wild sorrel with sharp sour leaves
“Gie me a wee haundfu o soorik for the salit”
soosedadjective
/SOOZD/
gently simmered below boiling temperature
“Da cod's soosed in a wee pan”
sooth moothernoun
/SOOTH-MOO-thur/
newcomer to the Shetland islands
“Yon sooth moother aye asks aboot the boats.”
sörmoosnoun
/SOR-moos/
sign that something is alive
“Yon wee calf gie's a sörmoos yet.”
sossnoun
/SOSS/
wet muddle or untidy muddy mess
“Mind yer feet, there's a soss oan the flooer”
sotadverb
/SOT/
childish intensifier meaning very or so
“A'm sot gled!”
soveverb
/SOHV/
Knock someone senseless; leave dazed
“He sove efter the clout tae the heid.”
sowdiannoun
/SOW-dee-an/
stout heavy-set and bulky person
“Da sowdian coudna get throo da door.”
sowlnoun
/SOW-ul/
pitying term for a person
“Aw, the sowl's nae richt the day.”
spaegienoun
/SPAY-jee/
muscle ache after heavy exertion
“A'm gey spent an haes a spaegie.”
spaekverb
/SPAYK/
To speak; give a cheeky reply
“He cam roon tae spaek a wee”
spaekalationnoun
/SPAY-kuh-LAY-shun/
widely discussed community rumour or topic
“Hae ye heard the spaekalation gaein aboot the pier?”
spangverb
/SPAHNG/
Move forward in springing strides
“Da bairn spang alang da strand.”
sparrelnoun
/SPAR-uhl/
the tubular digestive tract, intestines
“Da sparrel stinks sair.”
speerverb
/SPEER/
to ask or seek information
“Gae speer aboot the ferry times.”
speetnoun
/SPEET/
brief intense shower of rain
“Bide inside, there's a speet.”
spellverb
/SPEL/
take over someone's turn or duty
“Can ye spell me noo?”
spendverb
/SPEND/
to wean a young animal
“A'll spend the lamb the morn.”
spentadjective
/SPENT/
Fish depleted after spawning
“Da kelt is fair spent.”
spewnoun
/SPYOO/
a disgusting or offensive sight
“That's pure spew”
spewinsverb
/SPYOO-inz/
to vomit; bring up stomach contents
“Da bairn's spewins agen”
spikknoun
/SPIK/
whale blubber, animal fat
“Mither smeart breid wi spikk.”
spiltverb
/SPIHLT/
past form of spill, overturned material
“Da milk's spilt ower da table.”
spindriftnoun
/SPIN-drift/
sea spray driven by strong wind
“Spindrift jist skirled aboot da harbour”
spleet newadjective
/SPLEET-noo/
completely new; never used
“Yon boat's spleet new.”
splorenoun
/SPLOHR/
Noisy commotion or bustling uproar
“Dinna mak sic a splore!”
spoverb
/SPOH/
to tell someone's fortune
“Da auld wife'll spo by da fire”
spölliverb
/SPOEL-ee/
Roughly toss, break, and make a mess
“Da bairn spölli his toys aboot da flure.”
spönnoun
/SPUHN/
small bowl-shaped eating and stirring utensil
“Gie me the spön.”
spongetadjective
/SPON-get/
black coat with white patches
“Yon coo's sponget.”
spootnoun
/SPOOT/
long narrow bivalve sudden darting movement
“He gied a spoot ower the dyke.”
spörverb
/SPURR/
ask for marriage, bring whisky bottle
“He gaed tae hir faither wi' the spör.”
sprechintransitive verb
/SPREKH/
give a high piercing cry
“Da wee bairn startit tae sprech”
spreenoun
/SPREE/
lively bout of merry revelry
“We gaed oot on a spree last neet.”
spretverb
/SPRET/
to split or burst open suddenly
“Da boat spret i da gale.”
sprickleverb
/SPRIK-ul/
wriggle or flop about convulsively
“Da fisk stertit tae sprickle when I tuggit it oot”
spricklitadjective
/SPRICK-lit/
speckled or mottled in appearance
“Da stane is aw spricklit wi lichen”
sprignoun
/SPRIG/
short nail used by cobblers
“Da cobbler hammered a sprig intae da sool.”
springnoun
/SPRING/
brisk and spirited folk dance melody
“Yon spring gars folk daunce till mornin'”
spritverb
/SPRIT/
make a quick dash on foot
“He hed tae sprit tae ketch the bus.”
sproanverb
/SPROHN/
eject liquid in a fine spray
“Dinnae sproan the kail, bairn.”
sprootverb
/SPROOT/
forcefully eject liquid from mouth
“He sproot watter oot o' his mooth.”
spunderverb
/SPUN-der/
to dash or hurry along
“He'll spunder hame.”
spunknoun
/SPUNK/
tiny spark from a fire
“Yon wee spunk flew frae the peat-fire.”
spurrytailnoun
/SPURR-ee-tail/
small nocturnal insect with pincers
“Thair's a spurrytail i' the hoose.”
spyolknoun
/SPY-ulk/
narrow wooden brace for limb
“He cam hame wi a spyolk oan his leg.”
staagverb
/STAAG/
to walk with slow heavy steps
“He staag alang da brae.”
stabnoun
/STAHB/
wooden fence post driven into ground
“Pit the stab in the grund.”
stacknoun
/STAK/
tall sea rock or peat pile
“Da stack's a grand sicht.”
stack steidnoun
/STAK-STAYD/
Prepared base for piling peat
“Gie the peet oan the stack steid, lad.”
staignoun
/STAYG/
young horse or pony; a foal
“Da staig is gey braw.”
stammerinnoun
/STAM-er-in/
timber brace securing stem to planking
“A'll sit on the stammerin whan we steer hame.”
stangnoun
/STANG/
sudden sharp stabbing pain
“Ah got a stang i ma side.”
stanknoun
/STAHNK/
shallow hollow holding stagnant water
“Dinna lat the bairns near the stank.”
stapnoun
/STAP/
mashed fish offal seasoned dish
“A'll hae stap this neet.”
stapplenoun
/STAP-uhl/
narrow mouthpiece of a smoking pipe
“Gie me da stapple o da clay pipe.”
startnoun
/STAHRT/
a very short space of time
“Ah'll be back in a start.”
startyadjective
/STAHR-tee/
easily startled and nervously fidgety
“Da bairn's starty an hiz fit's aye skitterin.”
stavesnoun
/STAYVZ/
curved wooden slats of a barrel
“She's gey staves the noo.”
steekverb
/STEEK/
to close or shut something
“Steek the dour noo”
steekitadjective
/STEEK-it/
very thick fog; smothering close mist
“It's steekit the day, cannae see da kirk.”
steepelnoun
/STEE-pul/
stack of fish laid crosswise to dry
“Mind yer step near da steepel.”
steernoun
/STEE-er/
noisy commotion or excited disturbance
“They gied a gey steer ower naething.”
steidnoun
/STAYD/
building site; tightly packed shoal
“There's a steid o herrin at da voe.”
stennoun
/STEN/
a piece of rock or stone
“Mind yer fit on the sten.”
sten shakkernoun
/STEN-SHAK-er/
small migratory pale-plumaged songbird
“Ah seen a sten shakker oan da machair this morn.”
stenbiternoun
/STEN-BEE-ter/
a whiskered, bottom-dwelling catfish
“Aw saw a stenbiter in da voe.”
stendverb
/STEND/
stride with long determined steps
“He stend alang the brae.”
stengleverb
/STENG-gul/
make a temporary improvised seal
“Stengle da hole wi some rags noo.”
stenloopennoun
/STEN-LOO-pen/
blood-filled blister from crushed stone
“Da fella trippit ower da stane an got a stenloopen oan his fit.”
stentverb
/STENT/
pull out to make long
“Stent the rope, it's gey slack.”
steuchnoun
/STOOCH/
Small clump or heap of dust
“Sweip awa da steuch aff da shelf.”
stiggisomadjective
/STIG-ih-sum/
extremely foul and nauseating food
“Da porridge is pure stiggisom.”
stiggynoun
/STIG-ee/
stepped opening in drystone wall
“Gie me a haun ower da stiggy.”
still an onadverbial phrase
/STIL-uhn-AWN/
despite that; all the same
“Da day wis cauld, still an on we sat oot.”
stimeverb
/STIME/
squint or peer to see clearly
“Stime at yon far boat, I cannae mak it oot.”
stiminadjective
/STIM-in/
extremely drunk; heavily intoxicated
“He wis stimin efter da ceilidh.”
stimnanoun
/STIM-nuh/
Physical strength or staying power
“Hae ye stimna for the hill?”
stinklenoun
/STINK-ul/
small migratory moorland passerine bird
“Da stinkle sat on da wa'.”
stirnverb
/STUR-n/
shake or tremble from cold
“Her han's stirn oan the bleak morn.”
stivvenverb
/STIV-en/
become stiff or numb from cold
“Ma hauns stivven efter sittin oot a' the nicht”
stivvleverb
/STIV-vul/
to thicken or make more solid
“A'll stivvle the saddle afore we gang oot”
stoalnoun
/STOHL/
traditional tale or legendary story
“Da auld stoal aboot da selkie aye gits telt”
stocknoun
/STOK/
central core of cabbage or kale
“Tak the stock oot afore ye boil the kale.”
stock dyooknoun
/STAWK-DYOOK/
common wild dabbling duck
“Thar's a stock dyook in the voe.”
stock whaapnoun
/STOK-HWAAP/
long-billed wading bird, curlew
“Yon stock whaap's skreetin oan da shore.”
stöelsnoun
/STOHLS/
cut lower ends of corn stalks
“Aw'll stack the stöels in the byre”
stoitnoun
/STOYT/
short fit of stubborn sulking
“Da bairn hed a stoit an wadnae speak.”
stoiterverb
/STOY-ter/
Move slowly and unsteadily
“Da auld man stoiter alang da brae.”
stooverb
/STOO/
cut hair very close
“A'll stoo ma heid the morn”
stooknoun
/STOOK/
small cluster of grain sheaves
“Da stooks bide oot till thresin.”
stoorverb
/STOOR/
sullen look and sudden rush
“He stoor awa tae the pier.”
störnoun
/STUR/
small coin originally a Dutch penny
“Gie me a stör.”
story wirmnoun
/STOR-ee WIRM/
larval grub of crane-fly
“Ah fand a story wirm i' the moss the day.”
stotnoun
/STOT/
young castrated bull kept for fattening
“Da stot's braw fat noo.”
stowen duntadverbial phrase
/STOH-wen-dunt/
happening suddenly all at once
“It cam stowen dunt.”
straenoun
/STRAY/
dried cereal stalks for bedding and thatch
“Put the strae i' the byre.”
straenadjective
/STRAYN/
roof covered with straw thatch
“The auld byre's straen needs mendin.”
straffnoun
/STRAF/
troublesome or worrying situation
“Da straff's pressin' me sair.”
stramashnoun
/STRAM-ash/
Noisy commotion or uproar; loud fuss
“There wis a stramash at the pier lastnicht.”
strampverb
/STRAMP/
march heavily with forceful steps
“He stramp alang the brae.”
strangeverb
/STRAYNJ/
to feel great surprise
“Ah wes strange tae see yon.”
stravaigverb
/struh-VAYG/
wander aimlessly; roam without purpose
“A'm gaen stravaig alang the voe.”
streekverb
/STREEK/
laying out a corpse for burial
“A'll streek da body afore da wake.”
stremnoun
/STREM/
very high tides at new and full moon
“Da strem fair rins da shore.”
stretadjective
/STRET/
Snug and closely fitted to body
“Da auld frock is awfy stret.”
stricknoun
/STRIK/
young male bovine; juvenile bullock
“Da strick coudna keep up wi the kye.”
stridey legsadverb
/STRYD-ee LEGS/
sitting or standing with legs apart
“She sat stridey legs oan the milkin stane.”
striffennoun
/STRIF-en/
thin membranous caul around intestine fat
“Tak aff the striffen wi a skairp knif”
stringnoun
/STRING/
powerful tidal stream or current
“Dinna gae near the string.”
strinklinnoun
/STRINK-lin/
thin light layer or small spread
“Pit a strinklin o' butter oan the tattie.”
stripenoun
/STRYPE/
small stream or narrow rivulet
“Da stripe rins doon the brae.”
strodienoun
/STROH-dee/
narrow grassy lane between walls
“Ah gaed alang the strodie tae the croft.”
strödimentnoun
/STROH-dee-ment/
sudden lively surge of excitement
“We hed a strödiment efter the reel.”
strointnoun
/STROYNT/
short pipe for channeling liquids
“Pit the stroint intae the burn.”
stroint pipenoun
/STROYNT-PIPE/
Outlet where culvert or drain discharges
“Mind da stroint pipe doon by da quay.”
stroodnoun
/STROOD/
a matching set of garments
“A'm puttin on ma strood”
stroodsnoun
/STROODZ/
ropes supporting a ship's mast
“Mak shair the stroods are ticht afore we sail.”
stroopnoun
/STROOP/
projecting lip on kettle or teapot
“Tak the kettle bi the stroop.”
stroopienoun
/STROO-pee/
Shetland name for a teapot
“Gie us da stroopie an we'll hae a sup.”
stropsnoun
/STROPS/
shoulder straps to hold up trousers
“Fix yer strops afore ye gae oot.”
strugverb
/STRUHG/
To work hard; to struggle
“A strug wi the nets this mornin'.”
stryndnoun
/STRYND/
inherited family disposition or tendency
“He haes the strynd fae his faither.”
studgeverb
/STUHJ/
walk heavily while carrying load
“He studge up da brae wi' da creel”
stuggitadjective
/STUG-it/
extremely full after a meal
“Ah'm stuggit efter dinnar.”
stumbanoun
/STUM-bah/
extremely dense mist or fog
“A'll nae tak the boat in the stumba.”
stumseverb
/STUM-suh/
mentally confused, dazed and puzzled
“Ah'm stumse wi' whit he telt me.”
stunkverb
/STUHNK/
gasp or breathe hard after exertion
“Aw stunk efter rennin up the brae”
sturdynoun
/STUR-dee/
brain cyst disease in sheep
“Da ewe's gaen sturdy, she cannae find hame.”
sturkenverb
/STUR-ken/
to cause milk to form curds
“Da milk's sturken in da pan”
stylknoun
/STILK/
single stem of an oat plant
“Yon stylk is awfy lang.”
styoochnoun
/STYOOCH/
cloud of dust or spray
“Da boat passit an a styooch cam ower”
sukkalegsnoun
/SUK-uh-legs/
tube-like leg coverings worn over shoes
“Put oan da sukkalegs afore ye gae oot.”
sungaetsadverb
/SUN-GAYTS/
following the sun's path; clockwise
“Gae it sungaets, lad.”
sutshkinnoun
/SUTCH-kin/
a full sibling from both parents
“Ma sutshkin's comin hame the morn.”
swaabienoun
/SWAA-bee/
very large coastal gull species
“Ah saw a swaabie oan da skerry.”
swaanderverb
/SWAWN-der/
to walk with a swaying gait
“He jist swaander alang da quay.”
swaarnoun
/SWAAR/
strip of scythed grain or grass
“We sat oot till the swaar.”
swaaranoun
/SWAA-rah/
coarse wool yarn for warm underclothes
“Ah gied the bairn his swaara the morn.”
swaarliknoun
/SWAHR-lik/
muddy bog with a foul smell
“Mind yer step aboot that swaarlik.”
swackadjective
/SWAK/
Energetic, brisk, quick and nimble
“She's swack at da ceilidh.”
swapverb
/SWAHP/
deliver a sudden blow; cast
“He swap the line oot.”
swarfnoun
/SWARF/
brief sudden fainting spell
“He hed a swarf an cam roond efter a wee”
swarfishnoun
/SWOR-fish/
small speckled shore fish
“Ah saw a wee swarfish amang the kelp.”
swartadjective
/SWAWRT/
Very dark, intensely black in color
“Da sky gaed swart afore da storm.”
swashnoun
/SWAHSH/
large measure of drink
“Gie's a swash o dram, lad.”
swatsnoun
/SWATS/
liquid left after preparing oats
“Gie me the swats.”
sweeverb
/SWEE/
to scorch or sizzle; sting
“Mind yer haun, the pan'll swee ye.”
sweelverb
/SWEEL/
to spin quickly on the spot
“Sweel roond, bairn!”
sweerienoun
/SWEER-ee/
small rack for yarn spools
“Gie's the sweerie, Ah'll sort the spools.”
sweerie gengnoun
/SWEER-ee GENG/
first row of knitting stitches
“Tak yer time wi the sweerie geng.”
sweertanoun
/SWEER-tuh/
habitual idleness; tendency to avoid work
“Wi his sweerta, the croft's run doon”
sweetadjective
/SWEET/
Fresh, newly drawn milk
“That sweet milk's reet braw.”
swickverb
/SWIK/
To trick someone for money
“Dinnae swick folk”
swillverb
/SWIL/
rinse or gulp to clear throat
“Tak a swill o watter.”
swinklanverb
/SWINK-lun/
to be intoxicated from drinking
“He wis swinklan efter da ceilidh.”
swinklenoun
/SWINK-uhl/
soft, light splashing of water
“Da swinkle cam fae da quay”
swirtenverb
/SWUR-tuhn/
Press or squash something flat
“Swirten the tatties afore ye mash 'em.”
swittleverb
/SWIT-ul/
make light splashes in water
“Da bairn gaed tae swittle at da shore.”
syenoun
/SIGH/
Long-handled curved blade for harvesting
“A'm gaen oot wi the sye.”
sye stennoun
/SIGH-STEN/
Stone for sharpening knives and tools
“A'll whet ma knaif oan the sye sten.”
syernoun
/SEE-er/
Fine-meshed strainer for milk
“Straen the milk thrue the syer.”
syer clootnoun
/SEER-KLOOT/
cloth used for straining liquids
“Pit the broth through the syer cloot.”
sylkienoun
/SIL-kee/
seal; marine mammal, sometimes selkie
“I seen a sylkie doon by da voe”
syndverb
/SIND/
rinse a vessel repeatedly after washing
“Gie's the cup a synd afore ye put it awa.”
syneadverb
/SINE/
then at that time afterwards
“We hed oor tea, syne we gaed oot.”